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As reflection was mentioned in the last post, change is the next logical step in the process. I read an article in the last few months (that I now cannot find) that really hit home. Basically, teaching is never going to be “easy”. It is always going to be hard work.
It’s hard work because teachers:
- Create change
CC0 Creative Commons
Pixabay - Are always learning
- Deal with change
- Never see complacent as an option
- Must meet deadlines
- Need to show compassion and empathy
- Show up and give 100%
- Reflect on ways to get better
- Plan content and curriculum for all students
- Inspire youth
Ok, I added a few of my own since I can’t quote the author.
Before I get into creating change, I want to mention some of the things that have stayed with me over the years.
Student Voice!
One of the things that has always been a constant in my classroom is student voice. Listening to them and asking what they want to learn. At different times in my career, I couldn’t always make every change. However, I attempted to make all the changes that were within my means.
The majority of students will always perform better when they know you HEAR them and SEE them even if you can’t always make the changes they (and you) want.
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The biggest change that has happened recently is decreasing homework. I have never been a huge fan of homework , but did require students to complete projects (at the end of a unit) at home because there wasn’t enough time during class. I have drastically to reduced that so students don’t have homework or very little for my class for weeks at a time except reading. Occasionally when they do have homework, it is still to finish something started in class or something they can use a little extra practice on. It does cause my stress level to increase because we have spent 10 weeks on the first unit this year. All teachers know there is never enough time, and now it is taking almost twice as long to complete a unit. However, students and parents alike have been grateful that I am being more intentional this year about little to no homework.
Studies, professors, parents, and teachers have all discussed how homework is:
- Stressful for students
- Frustrating for parents
- Not the best way to teach responsibility
- Causes friction in the home
- Shows little to no gain especially in elementary school
- Takes up way too much instruction time during school
- Not worth the hassle
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I think questioning “WHY” often in education helps to see where changes can take place. “Why are we doing this? What is the purpose?”
As education is evolving, reflection, best practices, and changes all need to be moving forward. Our “normal” education system is modeled after the industrial revolution to produce good workers. But now what the world needs are problem solvers, critical thinkers, good communicators, etc… In order for teachers to move forward, we have to change what has always been done.
Step out of the comfort zone and the “norm”! Embrace the change.
“Would YOU want to be a student in your own classroom?”
Ms. Marcum's Mission 
That last quote was really thought-provoking “Would YOU want to be a student in your own classroom?” It would make teachers really contemplate the effectiveness of their teaching methods if they themselves are drawn into the picture.
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